Christmas in Athens!

Christmas in Athens Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens & King George, Athens Concierge Services

Read about: Christmas & Family Activities Melomakarona Recipe

Shopping & Winter Sales in Athens

FAMILIES Christmas Factory the biggest Christmas Bazaar of the country

For a forth year in a row, the

FAMILIES

Christmas Factory of Athens is the biggest Christmas Bazaar of

Technopolis City of Athens 100, Pireos str.

118 54 Gazi - Athens

the country!

Totally enchanted by the Festive period, allow us to welcome you in a fairytale scenery full of joy and happiness. Visit the festive city of Athens and allow us to journey you to the finest Christmas feelings.

Visit the Christmas Factory >

Around the World in Eighty Days A thrilling theatrical adventure for travelers The exciting Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne is returning to the stage of The Megaron. A musical-theatrical performance for young and old alike, featuring a big cast with action and humor, live music and video sequences.

Vass. Sophias & Kokkali - Athens 115 21 3, 10, 17 December 2016 / 15:00 4, 11, 18 December 2016 / 11:30

Learn more >

FAMILIES

of all ages…

Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall,

Peter Pan on Ice in Faliro Olympic Indoor Hall

FAMILIES

(TAE KWON DO HALL)

Peter Pan, the beloved hero of all children, visits Athens for a single performance on ice with the famous Russian Ice Stars.

A huge ice rink that sparkles with fairy dust will cover the arena of Taekwondo, welcoming Peter Pan, the Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and all the wonderful characters created by the imagination of the author J. M. Barrie. From the London chimneys and the house of the Darling family to the pirate Captain Hook and the camp of Tiger Lily, the show is a magical journey back to the Neverland, a world full

of energy, fun, music, beautiful sceneries and dazzling dance moves beyond logic: frantic spins, stunts, fencing, flaming hula hoop-all performed with absolute precision and synchronization by the Russian Ice Stars, the crème de la crème of Russian ice dancers.

For the first time in Greece, this great production comes to Faliro Olympic Indoor Hall with all the necessary equipment, props and an 800sqm ice rink, allowing viewers to watch the show at 360 degrees.

This way, young and old friends of Peter Pan will be able to enjoy the performance to the fullest.

FAMILIES

The group of Russian Ice Stars consists of sixty leading dancers, many of whom are distinguished on a national, European, world and Olympic level. Especially for the spectacular choreography of Peter Pan on Ice, the team collaborated with the Italian choreographer Cavalieri Giuseppe Arena, the artist who choreographed the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in 2006, while the original music is produced by the Italian composer Silvio Amato.

Gymnastirio P. Falirou Aeroporou Aristoteli Moraiti, Athens, Greece 09 December 2016 - 18 December 2016

Book your tickets >

The Snow Queen CHRISTMAS AT THE CONCERT HALL, Stegi Grammatwn & Texnwn

Ballet in two acts based on the well-known fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen

FAMILIES

The Snow Queen – 16 exclusive performances at the Concert Hall Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky, Anatoly Lyadov, Anton Rubinstein, Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet Dramaturgy: Aniko Rekhviashvili, Oleksiy Baklan Choreography: Aniko Rekhviashvili Set designer: Stanislav Petrovskyi Costume designer: Nataliia Kucheria Lighting designer: Igor Samarets

Stegi Grammatwn & Texnwn 17, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28 DECEMBER 2016 16:00 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 DECEMBER 2016 20:00 18 DECEMBER 2016 12:00

Learn more >

FAMILIES

Giselle is returning to the Greek National OperA

Giselle, one of the Romantic period’s most famous ballets with dreamlike music by Adolf Adam, is returning to the Greek National Opera choreography by Irek Mukhamedov, based on Marius

FAMILIES

Petipa’s classic version.

Giselle is a turning point in the history of ballet. Although it had been forgotten in Europe for many years, in the early 20th century it began to resurface in the repertoire of large ballets. The role of Giselle, dubbed ‘the Hamlet of ballet’ is even today a major challenge for classical ballerinas. For the countless fans of dance, Giselle never ages because it is a work which shines a bright light on deep emotions, such as love, envy, betrayal, madness and above all describes an immense love that manages to overcome death to protect life itself.

PREMIERE 16 DECEMBER 2016 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 December 2016 Olympia Theatre At 20:00 (31/12 at 19:00) Akadimias 59-61, 10679 Athens, Panepistimio METRO Station

A moonlit forest. Transformed into ghostly spirits (Willis), the souls of the girls betrayed by their lovers while waiting to marry come to take revenge. They drag any passing man away, forcing him to dance with them non-stop until he falls down dead. They also take Albrecht who has regretted his decision to abandon Giselle, but Giselle intervenes propping him up until dawn comes when the Willis lose their power.

Then having forgiven him, she returns to her grave leaving him inconsolable.

Learn more >

The Barber of Seville the most famous Italian comic opera at the greek national opera

Rossini’s work The Barber of Seville, the most famous Italian comic opera, returns to the Greek National Opera in Francesco Micheli’s subversive production which was first presented with great success during last year’s artistic period.

with her aged protector Doctor Bartolo, who intends to marry her himself.

A production featuring an entirely Greek cast, aimed at young and old alike, which is ideal for opera beginners.

With the Orchestra, Choir of the Greek National Opera FAMILIES

The Greek National Opera production, which was also staged with great success last winter by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, brings Figaro’s tale into the digital age, and sheds light on Rosina’s world which lies somewhere between dream and reality.

The work needs no introductions. The lively, witty and particularly melodic music goes perfectly with a series of comic scenes as the barber Figaro helps the Conte de Almaviva marry the lovely Rosina, who lives

PREMIERE 18 FEBRUARY 2017 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26 February 2017 3, 5 March 2017 Olympia Theatre At 20:00 Akadimias 59-61, 10679 Athens, Panepistimio METRO Station

Learn more >

Planetarium Eugenides Foundation

For a ride to the stars, Athens boasts the world’s largest and most technologically advanced digital planetarium.

The 280-seat planetarium, with a 950-sqmetre hemispherical dome, offers 3D virtual trips to the galaxy, as well as IMAX movies and other high-tech shows. There is simultaneous narration in English.

The planetarium is part of the Eugenides Foundation, a progressive scientific and educational institution. This is home to the largest and, by general acclaim, most advanced digital 3-D 360 degrees Planetarium in the world, The New Digital Planetarium is a scientific centre with the important mission of communicating the achieve-

387 Syngrou Avenue – 175 64 P. Faliro T: +30 210 946 9600

ments in science to the general public and to enlighten people about the nature of scientific research and technology.

Moreover, it combines all the creative and technical capabilities of modern audiovisual media and technology to relate the history of science in a fascinating way.

As of December 5th 2016, the Planetarium wears its festive attire and awaits to introduce its little friends to a series of 7 digital Tholos shows and movies.

Some of the shows are: "The Christmas Star" "A Ride to the Moon" "The extinction of Dinosaurs" "An Alley full of Stars"

The Planetarium >

Christmas program at the Acropolis Museum

workshops, family backpacks, gallery talks for adults, Christmas tunes, harp melodies in the Parthenon Gallery and more surprises, the Acropolis Museum welcomes its visitors during December 2016.

Children's workshop "Temples and other buildings made with LEGO(r) and inspired by the Acropolis" Our little friends who visit the Museum during the festive season will have the opportunity to create their own buildings

using white LEGO(r) bricks and plenty of imagination. Their inspiration will be the temples, columns and capitals of the Acropolis!

Christmas Tunes On Sunday 18 December, at 12 noon, the Athens Big Band will present Christmas songs at the Museum ground floor.

Harp melodies in the Parthenon Gallery From Tuesday 27 December until Friday 30 December, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., visitors will enjoy their walk in the Parthenon Gallery listening to live harp music by Thodoris Matoulas.

Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Vass. Sophias & Kokkali - Athens 115 21 3, 10, 17 December 2016 / 15:00 4, 11, 18 December 2016 / 11:30

Learn more >

FAMILIES

With imaginative children's

MELOMAKARONA RECIPE honey Christmas cookies

Christmas time fills the house with the pleasing aroma of freshly baked cookies.

In Greek homes, center stage in the cookie department belongs to melomakarona. They are the quintessential Christmas cookie for Greeks, a concoction flavored with orange, lemon, cinnamon, cloves, and honey.

There is some evidence that a version of these cookies originated in antiquity.

Melomakarona are also called phoenikia, and the latter word

suggests that they probably originated with the Phoenicians, a seafaring people who lived in regions of Asia Minor and were antiquity's best known traders. Etymologically, melomakarona is comprised of the words meli+makaroni. Meli means honey in Greek, which fits, since the cookies are dipped in honey. Makaroni or macaroni, is a word of Greek-Latin origin, whose root means a doughy substance, or a substance which is kneaded or macerated. Therefore, in its most basic form the word melomakarona means a piece of dough which is dipped in honey.

INGREDIENTS Main ingredients ☞ 1 1 ⁄2 cups light olive oil or 1 1 ⁄2 cups corn oil

MELOMAKARONA RECIPE

☞ 1 ⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature ☞ 1 cup beer (or more) or 1 cup orange juice (or more) ☞ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon ☞ 1 1 ⁄2 teaspoons ground cloves ☞ 2 oranges, zest of, grated ☞ 1 cup sugar ☞ 2 cups fine ground semolina (cream of wheat or farina) ☞ 6 cups flour ☞ 1 ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda ☞ 1 ⁄2 teaspoon baking powder ☞ 1 teaspoon salt

Syrup ☞ 1 1 ⁄2 cups sugar ☞ 1 1 ⁄2 cups greek thyme honey ☞ 1 cup water ☞ 3 ⁄4 cup walnuts, finely chopped

RECIPE

Put the corn oil, butter, beer (or orange juice), cinnamon, cloves, orange peel and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until they are thoroughly blended.

Add the semolina, a cup at a time, into this mixture.

Add enough of the remaining flour, a cup at a time, until you get a rather firm dough (you may need a bit more or less than the amount of flour mentioned in the ingredients list).

Use your hands to do the mixing, as an electric mixer will be useless after the first two or three cups of flour have been added.

Roll the dough into cylinders, about two inches long and one inch in diameter, flatten them with your hands, and place them on cookie sheets that have been greased with a little olive oil.

Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for half an hour.

Lay the cookies out in a rimmed baking pan large enough to contain them and pour the hot syrup over the cookies, sprinkle them with the chopped walnuts and let them soak overnight.

(Alternatively, if you do not have enough rimmed baking sheets to accommodate all the cookies, you can dip them in batches directly into the hot syrup - keeping the syrup at the lowest possible simmer - and allow to soak in the syrup for 8-10 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon).

For the syrup: mix the sugar, honey and water, and bring to a boil.

Cook on low heat for four minutes and skim off the foam that forms on top.

The next day put them on your prettiest platter, sprinkle each layer evenly with the finely chopped walnuts and wrap with plastic wrap (or put in an airtight container) and serve.

MELOMAKARONA RECIPE

Sift about one cup of flour with the baking soda, baking powder and salt and blend into the oil mixture.

Remove the cookies from the oven and pour hot syrup over them.

SHOPPING Shopping in athens

Athens has got shopping spots for all tastes, offering unique

SHOPPING

bargains. How could you resist?

Amongst the great high streets of the city pedestrianized Ermou is definitely the one that stands out with an abundance of shops belonging to well-known clothes franchises, as well as historic Greek businesses. The bottom end of Ermou is Monastiraki. Don’t miss out on a walk in its flee market. There you will find clothes, shoes, accessories, leather goods and the world famous Greek leather sandals. On Sundays, there’s a bazaar with collector’s items such as books, old coins, vinyl records and antique furniture. Also, take the opportunity to walk around the gorgeous picturesque antique shops of the street.

Go on to the colourful Central Market of Athinas street, as well as the alleys along Evripidou, Apollonos and Praxitelous Streets, full of the aromas of spices and cured meat products. Athenians choose to buy produce for their everyday needs there. Besides the famed Varvakeios meat market there is a market for fish, vegetables and other Greek products in a large variety and at excellent prices.

Walk in the opposite direction away from Ermou and you’ll find Kolonaki, one of the most salubrious neighbourhoods of Athens.

No wonder the biggest fashion designer studios have gravitated there, specifically on Voukourestiou Street.

Enjoy the Winter Sales in Athens!

Monday, January 9th 2017 – Tuesday, February 28th 2017

HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS

+30 210 3330 000 telephone +30 210 3228 034 fax KING GEORGE A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS

+30 210 3222 210 telephone +30 210 3228 034 fax

SYNTAGMA SQUARE 105 64, ATHENS, GREECE grandebretagne.gr kinggeorgeathens.com #hotelgrandebretagne #kinggeorgeathens #theluxurycollection